The Iraqi Invasion; Tokyo Sees No Threat To Its Reserves of Oil

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August 3, 1990, Page 00010 The New York Times Archives

Japan today deplored the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq, saying it was watching developments with ''great concern'' but no immediate fear of a serious energy shortage.

Japan gets 70 percent of its imported oil from the Middle East, but it is only marginally dependent on Kuwait, officials said. In the first six months of this year, 5.9 percent of Japan's crude-oil imports came from Kuwait.

Japan said it had a 142-day reserve of oil. Officials said Prime Minister Toshiki Kaifu would proceed with his planned visit to Egypt, Saudi Arabia and other countries in the Middle East this month.

In a statement this afternoon, Foreign Minister Taro Nakayama, said Japan ''deeply regrets hearing the news'' about Iraq's invasion and was ''watching the development of the situation with great concern.'' Mr. Nakayama protested to the Iraqi Ambassador, Rashid M. S. Rifai.

A version of this article appears in print on August 3, 1990, on Page A00010 of the National edition with the headline: The Iraqi Invasion; Tokyo Sees No Threat To Its Reserves of Oil. Order Reprints|Today's Paper|Subscribe